Linshu County, Shandong: Fengnian Mould Drives Industrial Upgrading Through Innovation

As early summer unfolds, the production workshop of Fengnian Mould Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Linshu County, Linyi City, Shandong Province is bustling with activity. Machines roar as equipment operates in an orderly manner, reflecting a thriving manufacturing scene. Over the years, the company has remained committed to innovation, advancing industrial transformation and upgrading through breakthroughs in raw material control, process optimization, and equipment modernization. 

Unlike many mould manufacturers that purchase finished materials directly, Fengnian Mould processes its own raw materials to ensure quality control from the very beginning. The company has introduced an electroslag remelting furnace to refine mould steel with greater precision. “In the past, we purchased electroslag steel and then carried out forging modifications, but the quality of materials supplied by customers often varied, making it difficult to guarantee product consistency,” said Jiang Lizhong, the company’s Production Director. Steel processed through the electroslag remelting technique features higher purity, lower sulfur content, and a more uniform and dense microstructure, laying a solid foundation for the production of high-precision moulds. [caption id="attachment_34493" align="alignnone" width="1267"] (Staff members conduct quality inspections on finished products.)[/caption] In the manufacturing process, the company has continuously pursued technological innovation to develop high-end products through proprietary core technologies. One of its key technologies is liquid nitrogen deep cryogenic treatment, which plays a crucial role in improving both product quality and production efficiency. “This process requires extremely precise control. Components are first cooled to minus 170 degrees Celsius for deep cryogenic treatment and then gradually heated to 180 degrees Celsius to complete the entire procedure,” Jiang explained. The treatment significantly enhances mould toughness without compromising strength or hardness, greatly extending product service life. At the same time, it improves dimensional stability and reduces deformation during machining, ensuring higher product precision. The company has also accelerated equipment upgrades by replacing traditional pit furnaces with advanced vacuum gas-quenching furnaces. According to Jiang Xiujun, head of the Heat Treatment Department, conventional equipment is difficult to operate and lacks precise temperature control, leading to substantial oxidation losses and higher production costs while making product quality harder to guarantee. Following the adoption of vacuum gas-quenching technology, operations have become more efficient and temperature control more accurate and stable. The new equipment effectively eliminates steel oxidation, significantly reduces production waste, and achieves simultaneous cost reduction, quality enhancement, and efficiency improvement. Driven by continuous technological innovation and an unwavering commitment to quality, Fengnian Mould has received numerous industry recognitions, including designation as a Provincial Specialized and Sophisticated SME, a National Backbone Technology Enterprise, and a National High-Tech Enterprise. Today, the company’s annual production capacity exceeds 60,000 sets, with products exported to both domestic and international markets. Looking ahead, Fengnian Mould plans to further increase investment in technological innovation by introducing advanced equipment such as five-axis machining centers and wire EDM systems. These upgrades will further enhance the company’s core technologies and product precision, strengthen its competitive advantages, and inject new momentum into the high-quality development of the local economy.